What would help you relax in an exam?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

I have a group of adult learners doing an exam this Friday and they are all pretty worried. They have done the study but over a short period of time and some have struggled. They are very anxious and I want to ease that somehow.
I cannot play music and I cannot give them any revision directly before the exam. I have offered support between now and Friday via email which not many have accepted so far.
If you were doing an exam the week before Xmas. What would ease your anxiety?

Can you point them in the direction of some practice questions? Maybe knowing what sort of format to expect will ease the anxiety? I've found that helps in the past.

They have practice questions and I have said they can send them to me to be marked. No one has so far though.

Like Velociraptor I think the only thing that helps exam anxiety is practice.

A good night's sleep beforehand.

Confidence in knowing I knew my stuff.

Smoking our troubles away

Well they have had practice. But what they do at home tends to be questionable!

Well, seeing as they are adult learners, ask them what they usually do to relax when stressed and if they can offer tips to each other.

Rabbit, I’m not seeing them until the day of the exam. I’m just looking to see if there is anything I could do on the day to make them feel less anxious.

Bach Rescue Remedy.

They are going to be anxious and there isn’t a lot you can do about that. However, as well as being anxious about the content of the exam, they are likely to also be anxious about the logistics (What if I can’t find the room, what if my pen runs out etc.)

What can be helpful is to meet them at the door of the building, make sure they get to the right room at the right time with all the right equipment. Try and be relaxed, calm and cheerful yourself.

Are you invigilating? You can do that in a way that follows the rules but isn’t intimidating. A bit of friendly chat while you’re waiting to start can diffuse the tension to some extent. Let them know they can put their hand up if they need anything. Have spare pens, tissues, water and any allowable equipment (calculators, tracing paper, dictionaries e.g.) available and make sure they know that they are available.